About Us
FastFrame Frame Shop and Art Gallery has been a premier custom framing shop in Wilmington for over 15 years. Jody and Rob Ellis took over ownership in the summer of 2006. In December of 2006, Rob and Jody invited a group of artists associated with the Wilmington Art Association to have a one night show at FastFrame. This impromptu art show was so much fun and so well-received; they decided to devote the gallery of the shop to local artists. FastFrame Frame Shop and Local Artist Gallery has been a match made in heaven; customers are delighted to view the unique local art as they come into the shop for framing and beach-side art lovers are happy to have a close-by gallery that carries many prominent local artists in the Wilmington area.
From Class Work to Custom Framing - How Did Two Elementary School Teachers Find Themselves in a Frame Shop in Wilmington?
Wilmington, NC
It was a bright sunny afternoon in August, 2005 when Rob Ellis walked into the FASTFRAME custom framing shop at Landfall Center. He looked around the shop with its tastefully framed art and the shining rows of corner samples hung on the walls.
Rob smiled at the elegant woman behind the counter.
She smiled back and asked, “Can I help you?”
“Actually, I was wondering if FASTFRAME was a franchise?” asked Rob.
“It is,” said the lady, “and it is for sale. Would you like to buy it?” she jokingly continued.
Thus began Rob and Jody Ellis’s journey from the sometimes chaotic, but predictable environment of the elementary school classroom to the roller coaster ride of small business ownership.
Washington, D.C. - Maryland
Rob and Jody both brought strengths and training from their former lives to the framing and art business. While serving in the Peace Corps, they met and married. In the rural areas of Costa Rica they taught health classes as well as art and reading. In the Peace Corps Rob and Jody learned to appreciate the unique qualities of different cultures and peoples. After the Peace Corps, both Rob and Jody were inspired to become elementary Montessori teachers. They settled in Gaithersburg, MD. Jody taught art in her Montessori classroom for over 20 years. Rob used his background in carpentry and woodworking in both his classroom and his private contracting work.
Testimonial
A newspaper recently ran an article on me and my business, and included a photo. A company out of Florida offerred to take the article and photo and mount it on a wooden plaque with an engraved caption. They mailed the plaque to me and said if you like it, you can buy it, or send it back. When I received it - it was "ok", so I took the plaque to Fast Frame and asked if they could do better. Better was an understatement! FastFrame took the article and photo, matched the colors to the photo, and framed it, and NOW I have something worthy of keeping in my office. Needless to say, the plaque went back to Florida. If you want a wall decoration that looks good, take it to Jody and Rob!
- Kent Milholland
Wilmington, NC
Gallery
We are a local artist gallery dedicated to supporting the local arts community in Wilmington. We have the incredibly talented works of more than fifteen local artists enlivening the walls of our gallery.
We carry a large selection of reasonably priced prints, gyclees and limited edition reproductions by local and regional artists. Come by and browse!
1319 Military Cut-Off Road
Wilmington, NC 28405
Phone - 910.256.1105
Email -